News From You (6/26)

Dawson, Wood attend Camp Broadway

Bailee Dawson and Bennett Wood, both seventh-graders at Horizon Community Learning Center, recently attended Camp Broadway at Arizona State University Gammage. The performing arts summer camp gives campers an opportunity to work with some of Broadway's most distinguished performers, writers and designers. Classes include acting, scene study, improvisation, music theory, singing and dancing.

Hoover begins internship

 Ahwatukee Foothills resident Todd Hoover will begin a one-year music internship at Esperanza Lutheran Church on Sunday, June 28.

Hoover, best known for his work as a singer/songwriter with the groups The Company Drive and the Invisible Teal, is working on his master's degree in worship and music at Fuller Theological Seminary. The Esperanza internship is non-credited and will provide experience in composing, arranging, directing, rehearsing and planning. He will be interning under Director of Music and Arts David Kruse Coste.

Hoover has served at Esperanza in its ministry band and also with University Lutheran Church in Tempe as a chorister and assisting minister. He contributed songs to Dan Pugh's musical, Do Something, and has worked in the Tirosh program with various ministries. He has produced two CDs of his own music.

Summer camp at Montessori

Students participating in summer camp at Montessori Educare Academy have been studying Native American art and culture. They weaved Navajo rugs, did sand painting (Navajo,) made dream catchers (Chippewa, Cree and Navajo), beading (Cherokee, Black Foot, Navajo, Mohawk) and made pottery (Pueblo, Tewa, Navajo and Lakota tribes). Each week focuses on a different module, including Japanese Culture, Cooking, Art throughout the Ages, Yoga and Music Around the World.

Montessori Educare, 1244 E. Chandler Blvd., is currently enrolling for the fall. For more information or a tour, call (480) 283-8885.

Valdenegro competes in pageant

Ahwatukee Foothills resident Delfinia Valdenegro, 18, was chosen as a state finalist in the National American Miss Arizona Pageant held July 17 to 19 in Scottsdale. The pageant is for girls ages 16 to 18.

The winner will receive a $1,000 cash award, the official crown and banner, a bouquet of roses and air transportation to compete in the national pageant at Disneyland in California.

The pageants, held in age groups for girls ages 4 to 18, are dedicated to celebrating America's greatness and encouraging its future leaders. Each year thousands of dollars are awarded in scholarships and prizes to recognize and assist in the development of young women nationwide.

Valdenegro is sponsored by Robert Porter Construction.

For more information, visit www.namiss.com.

Schaller, Westby to marry next spring

Jasmine Schaller and Michael Westby are engaged to be married, and the wedding is being planned for May 22, 2010 in Scottsdale.

The bride-to-be is the daughter of Mario and Karin Schaller of Ahwatukee Foothills. She graduated from Desert Vista High School in 2003 and the University of Arizona in 2007 and is employed at Intel.

The bridegroom-to-be is the son of Peter and Cathie Westby of Scottsdale. He graduated from Horizon High School in 2002 and the University of Arizona in 2007. He is employed by Vanguard.

Sung to attend Interlochen Arts Camp as Emerson Scholar

Ahwatukee Foothills resident Jeeyoung Sung has been named one of only 46 Emerson Scholars and will receive a full scholarship to attend Interlochen Arts Camp, the world's premier summer arts program for aspiring young musicians. Emerson scholars are selected from among the top applicants to the competitive summer arts program. Sung will study the violin and perform with Interlochen Arts Camp's renowned youth ensembles.

He is the son of Dukmo Sung and Youngjoo Shin, is a sophomore at Desert Vista High School and performs with the Phoenix Youth Symphony.

Sponsored by Emerson of St. Louis, the Emerson Scholar Program provides the opportunity for outstanding high school musicians to attend Interlochen Arts Camp, located in northwest Michigan. The Emerson Scholars Award provides full tuition, private lessons, and room and board for the six-week summer program.

Upon arrival, Emerson Scholars contribute their talent and energy to the World Youth Symphony Orchestra. This year, the orchestra will perform with world-renowned musicians, including the Ahn Trio and Chris Thile of Nickel Creek. The group is conducted by Jung Ho Pak and will also welcome guest conductors David Effron of the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University and Leslie B. Dunner of the Joffrey Ballet.

Kidwell in Jekyll & Hyde cast

Scottsdale Desert Stages Mainstage will present the musical Jekyll & Hyde July 10 to Aug. 9 at Scottsdale Desert Stages Theatre, 4720 N. Scottsdale Road. Show times are 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays (no matinee July 11 or 18).

Ahwatukee Foothills resident Dominic Kidwell plays Simon Stride in this award-winning production that brings new life to Robert Louis Stevenson's classic story.

This show is appropriate for ages 16 and older, and tickets are $20 to $25.

For more information or tickets, call (480) 483-1664 or visit www.desertstages.com.